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The last six of the Ten Commandments focuses on issues related to love
for neighbor (which includes love for enemies - Matthew 5:43-48).
This section has been divided into six topics, based on the general
emphasis of each of these commands.
Three important things must be understood about these commands:
- Each represents an entire category of actions, attitudes
and motives. The command "Do not murder" covers not only visible
actions (such as murder), but attitudes (such as anger and hate).
- For each "negative" command ("do not..."), there is an implied
"positive" command. The prohibition against bearing false
witness (lying) also implies a command for truthfulness and integrity.
- Since God created people to reflect his character (having been
created in God's "image" - Genesis 1:26-27), many of these commands have implications
regarding our relationship and attitude to God. For instance, the concept of
adultery (a sin prohibited in one of these commands) is used to
describe the sin of turning from the true God to idols (Hosea 1:2-3), or of
trying to be a friend of both God and the world (James 4:4). Many (if
not all) of
the "do not" commands are simply prohibitions against conduct (and
attitudes) which contradict God's character and nature.
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AUTHORITY Leading and Serving
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The required relationship of a child to a parent reflects the
basic concept of respect for authority. Included in this category are all
the issues related to both leaders and those being led, both "masters" and
"servants" (the words being used in their broadest sense).
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LIFE vs. Death (Murder)
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This includes "negative" actions that have a destructive
impact on life (whether those actions actually kill the person, or just have
a hurtful, destructive effect on him). The "positive" side of this command includes
anything that enhances or builds-up other people.
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Sexual PURITY
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A focus on purity (especially sexual purity). In this category
belong the commands for sexual purity, as well as the prohibitions against
all forms of sexual impurity and depravity. Implied also is the the general
concept of purity, which has implications that extend into all areas of
life.
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WEALTH & ABILITIES vs. Waste, Theft, Laziness
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Issues related to the way we treat possessions (including non-tangible possessions,
such as gifts and abilities). This includes not only our possessions, but also
the possessions of others. This topic covers a broad number of
issues. Even the way we use our gifts and abilities are related to this
matter, for God gave us our gifts and abilities, and requires
us to use them for his glory and for the good of our neighbor. (If we
don't do this, we are guilty of stealing something that God intended
to be used for the good of all.)
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TRUTHFULNESS vs. Lying
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Issues related to truthfulness - which includes not only in what you say,
but also how you live. Integrity and faithfulness are related issues.
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DESIRES & Attitudes
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This command overlaps some of the others.
(Having sinful desires - coveting - leads to many of the other types of sins
people commit.) Here we focus on the attitudes of the heart, both good and
bad. Included are implied "positive" obligations, such as the
obligation to have contentment - which seems almost non-existent in modern society.
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The Bible says...
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his
neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not
commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You
shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever
other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love doesn't harm a
neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)
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